Detroit Tigers: Alex Presley off the disabled list, Matt den Dekker designated for assignment

Detroit Tigers fans will see a slightly different team moving forward as Alex Presley returns from the disabled list. Matt den Dekker was designated for assignment to make room.

Detroit Tigers outfielder Alex Presley is officially back with the team.

The 32-year-old was previously on the disabled list with a concussion, but is ready to return to the field.

Detroit’s official Twitter account announced the move to activate Presley from the disabled list in a tweet on Wednesday afternoon.

The Tigers tweeted the following:

“The #Tigers today have activated OF Alex Presley from the 7-day DL and designated the contract of OF Matt den Dekker for assignment.”

Presley previously appeared in 18 games for Detroit, registering 12 hits, six runs scored, five RBI, four walks, two doubles, two stolen bases and a home run in 54 plate appearances.

He also hit .245 with a .302 on-base percentage, a .347 slugging percentage and a .649 OPS. The former Pirate registered a .285 wOBA, a 73 wRC+ and a .102 ISO in his time with Detroit.

His WAR sits at -0.3.

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Defense

While Presley’s offense helped the team at times, he did struggle defensive in limited playing time. In 105 defensive innings in center field, the outfielder logged a -46.9 UZR/150, a -4.0 UZR, a -1.4 ARM and a -3 DRS.

These stats have obviously come in a small sample size, so there is hope that Presley can play better defense as the season progresses.

He certainly has shown the ability to be a solid defender in the past.

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In 136 innings for Houston in center field back in 2014, Presley notched a 14.7 UZR/150, a 1.2 UZR, a -0.1 ARM and a DRS of 2.

Presley seems likely to play behind Mikie Mahtook, who is on a run of good form, in a reserve role in center field.

In the last 30 days, Mahtook is batting .333 with a .450 slugging percentage, a .783 OPS, a 106 wRC+, and a .117 ISO in 60 plate appearances.

The ex-Ray has also tacked on with seven RBI, six runs scored, a home run and a stolen base.

Matt den Dekker

Presley’s return sees Matt den Dekker designated for assignment to make room on the active roster.

The outfielder, who previously spent a parts of two seasons in both New York with the Mets and in Washington with the Nationals, didn’t play much in his time in the Motor City.

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The 29-year-old had just one hit, one walk and one run scored in eight plate appearances spread across four games for Detroit. He also struck out four times.